Former high school baseball coach to pay $275,000 in wrongful death lawsuit

Firm News,Wrongful Death On Wednesday, May 14, 2014

When Connecticut parents lose a child to suicide, there are often other adults who played some role in the child’s emotional trauma. Naturally, these heartbroken parents search for answers to their child’s death, and some even file wrongful death lawsuits against people who are responsible for the events that led to their child’s suicide.

Following the suicide of an 18-year-old New Jersey boy, his parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the baseball coach who had allegedly used sexually explicit language in his conversations with some of his players. It is unclear whether the coach had this kind of contact with the boy who committed suicide, but he has agreed to pay the family a $275,000 settlement.

It is unknown whether any other players were negatively affected by the coach’s interactions with them, or if any parents voiced concern over the coach’s behavior. It is also unclear whether the boy who killed himself was suffering from mental anguish not related to his relationship with the coach.

The coach was convicted of child endangerment in 2010, but the conviction was overturned two years later because the jurors had received confusing information. Depending on when the high school hired the man to coach the baseball team, his criminal background check may not have revealed this criminal conviction. Because a retrial is scheduled, it is possible that the conviction will be reinstated.

When parents lose a loved one, their lives are changed forever. Fortunately, some family members of victims may be able to receive compensation to cover the costs of medical care, funeral expenses, and the mental anguish they experience as a result of their loss.

Source: CT Post, “Wrongful death case against ex-coach settled,” May 7, 2014

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